Pasta salad

 Ingredients: for 4 servings: * 350-400 g short pasta, shells, spirals, etc. * 1/2 finely chopped onion * 5-6 tablespoons olive oil * 2 teaspoons mustard * 1 roasted pepper cut into strips * 1 fresh cucumber sliced into rounds * 150 g sliced sausages * 150 g smoked cheese diced * a few basil leaves (dried can also be used)

To prepare a delicious and filling pasta salad, we start by emulsifying 5-6 tablespoons of olive oil, but you can also use sunflower oil, depending on your preferences. In this oil, we carefully add 2 teaspoons of mustard, constantly mixing to achieve a homogeneous emulsion. This combination will give our salad a unique flavor. The next step is to add finely chopped onion, which will bring an intense aroma and a bit of sweetness. We mix the ingredients well and let the mixture infuse for about 30 minutes, ensuring that the flavors blend perfectly.

In the meantime, we take care of the pasta. We bring water to a boil in a large pot, adding a tablespoon of salt to flavor the pasta. When the water reaches a boiling point, we add the pasta and let it cook according to the instructions on the package, being careful not to overcook it, as it will continue to cook after we remove it from the water. Once the pasta is al dente, we drain it well and rinse it immediately under cold running water to stop the cooking process. This step is essential to maintain the perfect texture of the pasta.

After 30 minutes have passed, we strain the emulsified oil with mustard and onion, removing the onion pieces. In a large bowl, we place the cooked pasta, and over it, we pour the flavored oil. We then add the other delicious ingredients: roasted bell pepper, sliced thinly, crunchy cucumber, sliced into rounds, sliced sausages, and diced cheese. This combination of ingredients will not only add a variety of textures but will also enrich the flavor of the salad.

To finish the dish, we add a few fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces. If you don’t have fresh basil on hand, you can confidently use dried basil. We season the salad with salt and pepper to taste, carefully mixing everything to ensure that each ingredient is evenly coated with the flavored dressing. After mixing well, we cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time will allow the flavors to develop and blend harmoniously.

When you are ready to serve, take the salad out of the refrigerator and enjoy a refreshing and flavorful meal! This pasta salad is perfect for hot summer days but can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Bon appétit!

 Tags:  onion cheese pepper oil salad olives cucumbers recipes for children